As a result of the injury, Mustapha is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.
The 49ers bolstered their defense in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding several players, including Kansas State safety Marques Sigle in the fifth round. The team also has safety Ji'Ayir Brown on the roster, but lost Talanoa Hufanga in free agency.
RELATED
"Mustapha's injury is actually related to the ACL tear he suffered in the same knee while playing at Wake Forest in January 2022," ESPN's Nick Wagoner wrote. "Mustapha returned from that injury in time to play 10 games during the following season.
"Although Mustapha departed the Arizona game with a knee injury and did not return, he was thought to be OK and in the locker room with the team the day after the game. Later that week, an MRI revealed that the graft that had been placed in the knee was torn. Mustapha had surgery to repair the knee after the issue was discovered."
According to a source, Mustapha has been rehabbing at the team facility and is "doing really well." However, ESPN's Wagoner notes that there is no definitive timeline for his return, given the timing of the injury.
Wagoner added, "Mustapha did, however, recover quickly from his previous ACL injury and there was no meniscus or cartilage damage in Arizona."
Mustapha (5-10, 206) is entering his second NFL season. The 49ers selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Wake Forest.
In his rookie season, Mustapha registered 72 tackles (two for loss), five passes defensed, and one interception over 16 games (12 starts), playing 75% of the defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
The Stat No One's Talking About That Could Define the 49ers' 2025 Season
A lot has been written about the outstanding performance of San Francisco's coaching staff this year. Head coach Kyle Shanahan deserves all the praise for the work he's done with the offense and the overall team chemistry. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, of course, is... -
Schefter highlights 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey's historic 2025 season
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is putting together a season for the history books. While he's averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry, his versatility as a playmaker in both the running and passing game makes him one of quarterback Brock Purdy's most... -
49ers nominate Kyle Juszczyk for 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
The NFL announced the 32 nominees for the 12th annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Each NFL team nominated a player for the award, which recognizes individuals around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship. The San Francisco 49ers nominated fullback Kyle Juszczyk... -
49ers' Shanahan still hopes Aiyuk returns this season—but isn't counting on it
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch didn't sound particularly optimistic Tuesday morning when discussing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's chances of returning this season. Appearing on Bay Area radio station KNBR, Lynch emphasized that while he remains hopeful, he can't...